Atherton Tableland
Mountain Fertile highland plateau with rainforest and agricultural towns
Highland plateau inland from Cairns with rainforests, waterfalls, crater lakes and farming towns; visitors come for hikes, waterfalls such as Millaa Millaa, birdwatching and local markets.
Atherton Tableland is a highland plateau in Far North Queensland, Australia, inland from the city of Cairns and forming part of the Great Dividing Range region. It is known for fertile agricultural land, rainforest, waterfalls and volcanic crater lakes.
The area offers a wide range of natural attractions including volcanic crater lakes such as Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine, numerous waterfalls including Millaa Millaa Falls, and extensive rainforest walks; many sites have short, well-maintained trails and picnic facilities. The combination of upland climate and fertile soils supports farms, orchards and dairy operations that are visible across the landscape.
Formed through volcanic activity and long-term weathering, the plateau has been shaped by pastoral and agricultural development since European settlement, while remaining important for Indigenous peoples for millennia. Parts of the region are included in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area for their ecological values.
Sitting inland from the coastal city of Cairns, the tableland occupies elevated countryside west and southwest of Cairns and is reached by road from the coastal plain.
- Natural heritage: Contains volcanic crater lakes and rainforests that are part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area, with many short walking tracks and lookouts.
- Proximity to Cairns: Approximately 60-90 kilometres inland from Cairns, accessible by road and serving as a cooler upland farming and tourism region compared with the coastal plain.
What to See #
- Crater lakes: Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine - Two volcanic crater lakes formed by maar eruptions; each is used for swimming, short walks and ecological study.
- Waterfalls: Millaa Millaa Falls and other waterfalls - Scenic waterfalls on the plateau popular for short walks and photography, often grouped along a waterfall circuit.
- Towns and gateways: Atherton township and Mareeba - Principal towns on the plateau providing visitor services, access points to rural landscapes and gateways to nearby national parks.
How to Get to Atherton Tableland #
From Cairns drive southwest on the Gillies Range Road (State Route 52) to Yungaburra and the central Tableland towns (about 1-1.5 hours). Alternatively, take the Kennedy Highway west from Cairns toward Mareeba and Atherton.
Tips for Visiting Atherton Tableland #
- Drive the Gillies Range Road early (if coming from Cairns) before buses and caravans build up; the switchbacks reward with sudden rainforest glimpses.
- Visit waterfalls like Millaa Millaa before midday when light filters through the fern gullies and the pools are less crowded.
- Stop at a local fruit stall - the Tableland grows exotic tropical fruit: mangos, lychees and macadamias - and ask about the season; freshness is a local obsession.
Best Time to Visit Atherton Tableland #
Best during the dry season for access and outdoor activities; the wet season offers dramatic scenery but erratic road conditions.
Weather & Climate near Atherton Tableland #
Atherton Tableland's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 13°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1407 mm/year), wettest in February with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (255 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (329 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (232 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 16 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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December
December is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (219 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
